WB Mag "Small Boats"

[dmede]

Got my copy of WB mags "small boats" and I dig it! Some great boats in there and good essays on them. Pure boat porn for people like me who read WB for inspiration on future projects. I hope we see future editions of this.

dave

[Old Sailor]

I thought that was only to be available on news stands.
Old Sailor

[JimD]

So what is an Elf?

[dmede]

News stands, or ordered direct from WB (no shipping when I ordered).

Elf is Paul Gartsides small double ended cruiser. Not bad for a whatcha call um... one of them sail boat things :D

The West Pointer 18 is more my speed, but the shots of the Ness Yawl may convert me.

[Tomcat]

Big Success as far as I can see. I was disappointed to read the fine print and find out this wasn't a regular magazine but only an annual.

The boat porn value is very high lots of articles comparatively few ads, I hope they can sustain it. It looks like heavy sleding for advertisers. Let's say one decides to buy a small ad for one's wares, and it appears nearby a similar design with the full page colour treatment. Normally in WB the big articles are something irrelevant to the skiff builder.

My only gripe, my perenial gripe relative to WB, is: They never cover canoes. Here we have the most widespread indiginous craft in the world, and certainly the most likely small craft owned by the average person (though Kayaks must be closing fast) and you would think it didn't exist. Ok they stuffed in the usual article on the double bladed canoe, that only WB cares about. Anyway, that's what one would expect.

I say "well done", great new magazine.

[Bill Childs]

My only gripe, my perenial gripe relative to WB, is: They never cover canoes. Here we have the most widespread indiginous craft in the world, and certainly the most likely small craft owned by the average person (though Kayaks must be closing fast) and you would think it didn't exist. Ok they stuffed in the usual article on the double bladed canoe, that only WB cares about. Anyway, that's what one would expect.

I suppose that it would be hard to please everyone with a publication such as this... with the diversity of wooden boat fans out there. Personally I don't have any use for canoes or kayaks, and would rather see that space occupied by something else, but I understand that other people dig 'em. I see lots of magazines on the rack devoted solely to canoes and kayaks.

I think WB did a pretty good job of including a variety of the type of small wooden boats most people like. Some are "great" boats, others in there I wondered what the heck?

A list of 25 "great" small wooden boats could be made by a dozen different thoughtful and experienced folks without many design choices being duplicated. This wasn't a single "best of" list. If they plan to do this every year they have certainly left plenty of room for other "great' designs.

[Tom Galyen]

Great little magazine, I liked the Norwalk Islands 26 best of all boats in this issue. And although I'm not a power boat lover, I liked the Blackbird as well, because I think she is not only good looking but practical as well. The fact that she doesn't leave much of a wake helps too.

Tom G. (Seaweed)

[Spokaloo]

I really enjoyed it myself. Having been on a trip to SanFran I happened upon it while the hens were shopping (and spending mucho deniro). Not only enjoyable for the boat porn aspect, but the bride was very enthralled by BLACKBIRD, which means I can keep my boat habit a little while longer if she stays interested.

Does a great job of hitting a niche market (us smaller boat types) while not expending more of the regular issues ad space and losing some of the interest of big-boat people in the process. I like the idea of occasional special issues, especially the anticipation!

E

[David Geiss]

HiYa!

The Fiddlehead talked to me...would have liked to see the 14' shown. That's a boat that, if built, will see the water alot!
I think it was the only clenched lapstrake boat in the whole issue.

Joel White's Flatfish is a beauty but, just having seen one in the flesh a few weeks ago (owned by Russ Manheimer's brother), I have to say that trailering it around would be a major hassle.

Best,
DG

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I posted double on this... didn't see this thread. I thoroughly enjoyed the magazine... beautiful.

[Mrleft8]

You'd think that the supreme leaders of our forum, and publishers of the magazine we all wait for every other month, would throw those of us who SUBSCRIBE to the magazine a bone, instead of those sand scratchers who only buy it when they feel an urge.....But....NOOOOO! I'm actually pretty pissed off that We who pay our dues don't get the freebie issue.

[landlocked sailor]

I bought it and I am enjoying it, but I think it's analagous to FineWoodworking's annual special on Shop & Tools; it's an extra issue that come FREE to subscibers. I remember how impressed I was the first year it came and thought "wow, what a class act". WB ought to have done the same. Rick

[rbgarr]

I went to the Points East Magazine presentation at the Portland West Marine last night. It was about the Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht race. During a break, they were selling everything in the store at a discount. I got my copy of the Small Boat annual and skipped the second half of the lecture to read it. I especially enjoyed the article about BLACKBIRD, one of my dream boats.

[Spokaloo]

While I can understand the free arguement, I see it a little differently.

If it will ensure the longevity of the publication, continue to support what really is a niche hobby with a very high quality publication, and keep everything available that it provides, I dont mind parting with $5.00.

To me, its supporting something that I believe works. I dont spend my money in places that I think don't deserve it, and I continue to support places that do. I will not get cheap or free food at a friend's restaurant because I want his business to remain successful.

Keep those issues coming!

E

[Rob Stokes, N. Vancouver]

Normally I get PO'd when as a magazine subscriber I have to pay extra for "special" editions. But I didn't feel that way this time. I guess I thought of it as a small book or something but regardless, I had no problem paying for what turned out to be a few evenings of very enjoyable reading.

Now - when a high-end glossy wood-related magazine I subscribe to starts to use their magazine as a marketing tool to point you at their pay-to-use web site and as time goes on they start to move all the "juicy" content from the paper pages (that I pay for) to the web pages (that I refuse to pay for)...THAT, I have a problem with!

Rob

[Tom Lathrop]

Now - when a high-end glossy wood-related magazine I subscribe to starts to use their magazine as a marketing tool to point you at their pay-to-use web site and as time goes on they start to move all the "juicy" content from the paper pages (that I pay for) to the web pages (that I refuse to pay for)...THAT, I have a problem with!

Rob

Mad at Fine Woodworking huh? Yeah, I feel the same way.:mad: